The Miguel Hidalgo community, a global example of resiliency: UNDRR

Mommy Mizutori, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Disaster Risk Reduction, and head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, visited the community of Miguel Hidalgo, in the Mexican state of Chiapas.

The town was hard hit by the 8.2-magnitude earthquake of September 7, 2017. Since then, CADENA has adopted the community and implemented a comprehensive Response, Relief, Reconstruction and Sustainable Development project.

“An example that extends beyond Mexico…”

On her tour through the community, Mami Mizutori emphasized that the case is “an exemplary model not only for Mexico, but globally; we’re going to talk…about what’s going on here, so the strategy can be replicated in other regions.”

CADENA not only helped restore a sense of normalcy among devastated populations, Benjamin Laniado, Secretary-General of CADENA stated, but also established a long-term commitment with the most affected communities.

“Miguel Hidalgo is now more prepared to respond to any natural disasters…”

“If a new earthquake were to happen again today, we are sure that the community of Miguel Hidalgo would not only experience less damage thanks to the more resistant and sustainable construction materials: the community is also more knowledgeable about natural disasters,” Laniado stated.

Among those present at the important event, Raul Salazar, Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean; Saskia Carusi, the External Relations Officer of the Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR); hte promoter in Mexico of the Global Campaign “Developing Resilient Cities” International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR); Angélica López Ortega, the UNICEF representative in Chiapas; and Luis Manuel García Moreno, The Secretary of Civil Protection of Chiapas.